Turino, in your reply you wrote:
- " There are too many grovelling weasels and Johnny Come Latelys who post trash.They never post useful info.They only berate other posters. "
Yeah, it never ceases to amaze me when I or others post a complaint/warning about a school/employer how quickly the naysayers will pounce. Most FTs who've had more than one teaching position in China know usually know all too well the various stunts pulled by ESL employers in China. And why on earth would someone take the time to post something that's basically untrue regarding an employer? It simply doesn't make sense. I sincerely believe those who pounce ("grovelling weasels" as you and others call them) are recruiters or FTs charged with hiring other FTs, who feel threatened. In my mind, there's no other explanation.

- "louwai in China will always distrust each other,and be disunited instead of united."
Yeah, why do you think that is? I haven't formed a theory about that thus far. I think the topic would make for an interesting discussion thread.

- "Their ongoing problems now will get no advice from me - I'm out of the teaching game for good!"
Are you saying the OP I responded to is your final one? Please tell me I'm confused! As I mentioned in my previous post to you, I no longer teach in China or Korea (thank God). I stayed away from this forum for 6 months after returning home and adjusting to my medical condition. But actually, I think my from-a-distance posts are now more thoughtful and much less reactionary and emotional than the ones I often posted while in China. PLEASE don't leave! Your experience and voice is greatly needed here.

- "Thanks anyway for your support,to Silverboy and Turnoi too,and to any others who've gleaned some useful info by reading my posts!"
Yes, yes, yes! Silverboy is often blunt (amusingly so) but again, he provides TONS of useful, experiential information, and wit. It would be a significant loss if he were to stop contributing. Turnoi is what, prolific? If one can cut through the brush and reach the clearing, then again, there's often highly useful information embedded in a number of his posts.

Turino,
Thanks for taking the time to offer your story. I wish I could say iit was surprising, but after five years in China, of course, it's not. I had one run-in with Immigration (in 2004) also because my employer dropped the ball.

The reason I'm responding though is that your story also illustrates one reason why at times, readers/posters cross swords with each other.

You represent the population of expats that have married Chinese citizens and therefore have a unique set of experiences, perspectives, advantages and disadvantages (such as the attitude your wife receives at the PSB).

I arrived in China in 2003 and perhaps because of my advanced age (49 at the time), I had come there expressly for the purpose of teaching, and learning as much as possible about Chinese culture.

I also worked mostly for training centers (also three colleges/universities and a company or two) mostly due to the fact that I preferred teaching older students, higher salaries, and I didn't mind the evening and weekend hours.

The majority of my expat colleagues (at almost every place of employment) were much younger than me, less experienced in teaching (I had been a university lecturer in my home country) and more interested in nightlife, and a spectrum of "adventure."

Although I liked many of my fellow expats, I truly had little in common with them, and much preferred the company of Chinese friends -- for a multitude of reasons.

I'm sure you're thinking at this point (if not earlier): what does this have to do with my original post?

I know that you are frequent contribtor to various threads on this forum. Sometimes I agree with you; other times, not.

But your original post now allows me read your past and future posts with a different and more-informed perspective. I think if we (all posters in general) did not have to be so guarded about our personal experiences in China, then perhaps we could avoid a fair measure of misunderstandings, wrong assumptions, and downright hostility at times.

I lived and worked in China from 2003 to 2008. I sincerely love the people of China, and will always be grateful for the many amazing things I experienced because of their tremendous hospitality and generosity. I wish I could say the same about the ESL business. I had nothing but a string of lousy employers, and loads of frustrations with menagers, local authorities (as what you detailed, albeit somewhat different), landlords, merchants, etc.

In 2008, I ventured to South Korea, for what I expected to be a better quality of life and employment. OH, boy, how wrong I was! Except for the much improved sanitation conditions in South Korea, I preferred China much, much more.

As a result of my horrific experience in Korea, I returned home a physically disabled person. I now participate in an exclusively Korea-related ESL forum, as I am trying to effectively convey my story about what happened to me there.

I am having difficulty findiing a way to do so because the great majority of expats that work there and post on the forum are teaching children (kindergarten and elementary school jobs are the most prevalent in Korea) and working in public schools. Again, as with China, I worked for a major, franchised training center, teaching adults.

In short, the experience of the folks that conribute to that forum, have an entirely different set of problems, experiences and perspectives than mine, and yet, they will voice very strong opinions about what I'm offering nevertheless. I've only let a few details of my experience in Korea be revealed, and so far, a number of posters have taken a swipe at me (aomw others genuinely interested). I'm not sure I'll tell more at this point, as I don't wish my real life and serious misfortune be debated by those who can't relate, simply because my experience does not match their own.

The bottom line of my long-winded post is the fact that we need to very much keep in mind when reading and judging the posts of others, that FTs are experiencing a wide range of challenges, informed not only by their particular employment choices and circumstances, but also by other factors such as personal and professional priorties, such a choice of spouse, expat "ghettoization," and geographic location.

I hope we can remember that those of us who contribute to ESL Teachers Board.com threads occasionally or often will keep in mind that not all of us are young, inexpereinced in teaching (until arriving in China), looking for a one year whirlwind of adventure, and single.

I wish more habitual posters like you, would be willing to reveal more about their personal circumstances, and in result be treated with a bit more empathy, respect, and compassion from our fellow expats.

Your post has been a good lesson for me. Thanks a lot!

BTW -- I'd like to know more about life and culture in Hohhot area, please!

A true story of unfair treatment:
More than a few years ago I was teaching legally with a Z,but my teaching contract finished beyond the last date on my RP.The college FAO was too busy to accompany me to the PSB office in Hohhot to extend my RP,and my Chinese wife,an ex-villager didn't like going there with me because she was always treated in an unfriendly manner by the staff there.So,I visited the PSB office alone with said contract and my RP to ask for an extension to my RP to make my working in China legal until the end of my contract.
From memory,I can say that the RP finished on Nov 11th,whereas my contract finished on Xmas Day.After trying to explain what was needed to the clerkess,whose English was completely rubbish,probably she got the job through special relationship,ie her father a powerful government cadre,she said I couldn't get an extension without a new teaching contract.I left,and some 120 days later,discovered that I had been living illegally in China,after a college I'd applied to for a job informed me of it.
So,I turned myself in,and apologised.Yep,my passport was taken from me after the clerkess denied all knowledge of my unsuccessful visit to the PSB Office to extend my RP.The PSB office did not have anyone who could speak English other than the lying and incompetent clerkess.I was fingerprinted,asked to sign a letter of apology,and given 10 days to get out of China once I paid my fine,the maximum,a 5000 Yuan ceiling,at 500 Yuan a day for overstaying my RP.I got out of the country with my new 10-day * visa,another 160 Yuan,went to Ulaanbator,Mongolia,with my marriage certificate,and then re-entered fizzing.Since then,I've set out to get my own back by teaching with L's inside and outside NMG territory.Great,no medicals,no RP's and you can do a bunk without fear of retribution if you think you've been mistreated by your employer,not that I've ever had to do it,mind you.But it's an option.Anyone with a Chinese wife who wants to teach in the same manner should contact small-time recruiters.There are always schools and colleges in a fix because they are one short due to louwai not arriving.And it would take too long for them to go through the necessary red tape to get a louwai with a Z visa.Some such employers will employ FT's on long L's with Chinese wives at once.I've been teaching here for 10 years in said way!